Flow control mechanism for countingpackaging apparatus and electric circuitry therefor



Ot. 6, 1959 J. w. BATCHELDER 2,907,154 FLOW CONTROL MECHANISM FORCOUNTING-PACKAGING APPARATUS AND Filed June 25, 1957 ELECTRIC CIRCUITRYTHEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lln. ll

INVENTOR.

JAMES W. BATCHEL DER 11M :JM

ATTORNEYS Oct. 6, 1959 J. w. BATCHELDER 2,907,154

FLOW CONTROL MECHANISM FOR COUNTING-PACKAGING APPARATUS AND ELECTRICCIRCUITRY THEREFOR Filed June 25, 1957 r 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FFh 3 I 7lltv1/ 1' (O I r 1 g 0 I ll f:

i 5 3 8 ||I 6 1, 8 K .{I m 5 3 m I a. IN; a, a 1 2 4 INVENTOR. JAMES W.BATCHELDER Y am; 21

ATTORNEYS Oct. 6, 1959 J. w. BATCHELDER ,9

FLOW CONTROL MECHANISM FOR COUNTING-PACKAGING APPARATUS AND ELECTRICCIRCUITRY THEREFOR Filed June 25, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet I5 FIG.5

R5b R211 INVENTOR.

JAMES W. BATCHELDER BY h @bd/ud; 7; fiahul;

ATTORNEYS United States Patent ce FLOW CONTROL MECHANISM FOR COUNTING-PACKAGING APPARATUS AND ELECTRIC CIR- CUITRY THEREFOR 7 James W.Batchelder, Ascutney, Vt.

ApplicationJune 25, 1957, Serial No. 667,797 18 Claims. (Cl. 53-59) Thepresent invention is concerned with a mechanism for controlling atdesired times the rate of fiow of a series of objects moving insoldiered array along a definite path and with electric circuitrytherefor. More specifically the present invention is concerned with animprovement on the type of control mechanism of the character disclosedin my co-pending application Serial No. 369,161, filed July 20, 1953,and also with improvements on the control circuitry therefor.

In my co-pending application above identified, a mechanism, in broadsense similar to the present invention, is disclosed in the environmentof a machine for packaging articles such as screws, bolts, rivets or thelike in exactly counted lots. The packaging machine includes a bulkloaded hopper feeder machine discharging the objects to be packaged insoldiered or serial array along a feeder discharge track whence theydrop to a filling station occupied by a box to be filled in exactlycounted lot, a succession of boxes being presented at the fillingstation automatically by a conveyor and box escapement mechanism. In theaforementioned application, and also this application, there isdisclosed a so-called track wheel assembly as a mechanism controllingthe discharge of objects to the filling station.

In the former application this assembly comprises a pivotally mountedbase tiltable toward and away from the discharge track about an axisperpendicular to the track plane, and carrying a rubber tired motordriven wheel mounted for rotation in the plane of the track to engageobjects thereon. Also mounted on the base as part of the assembly is anelectric motor unit including an electromagnetic brake and a speedreduction gearing unit for driving the wheel at low rotational speeds.The motor and brake are so wired as a unit that upon supply of power tothe motor unit, the brake is simultaneously electromagnetically releasedagainst a brake engaging bias spring, and upon cut-off of motor powerthe brake is engaged to stop wheel rotation. The entire assembly isbiased either by gravity or by a spring normally to tip the assembly tobring the wheel into engagement with objects flowing in the track; andsolenoidally withdrawn against the bias to withdraw the wheel from thetrack. Thus with the wheel stationary and engaging an object or objectson the discharge track, discharge to the filling station is stopped;with the wheel drawn away from the track, maximum unimpeded flow ispermitted; and with the wheel slowly rotating and shifted back to thetrack, discharge is impeded and limited to a rate determined by theperipheral wheel speed drawing objects thereunder allowing a terminalcontrol operation to be quite exactly timed with respect to thedischarge of a particular object. The terminal control operation in thedescribed environment is the stopping of the motor, hence discharge,immediately after the last object of a desired lot count is dischargedfrom the track.

Accordingly with circuitry such as that disclosed in said application orfor a modified box escapement clutch in the now Patent 2,792,031, atrack wheel assembly of the general character here discussed isadaptable to incorporation in an exact photoelectrically counted pack- R2,907,154 Patented Oct. 6, 1959 aging machine, including box conveyingand escapement means presenting boxes individually to a filling station;the track wheel assembly functions above outlined serving to releaseobjects for counted free flow, then to reduce flow for exact finalcounting, and to stop flow when exact count is reached.

Hence in those disclosures the counter and track wheel assemblycooperating therewith for exact count are integrated for cyclic controland operation with an escapement mechanism of the box conveying andpositioning apparatus, so that the filling and counting apparatusfunction and box replacement or escapement function alternate with eachother as long as boxes are available in the conveyor and the hopperfeeding mechanism is discharging work pieces.

Although in consequence of the track wheel assembly and associatedcircuitry, thep reviously disclosed apparatus is a great improvementboth structurally and in quality of function over analogous apparatuswhich had been proposed by the prior art, all advantages of the broaderinventive concept are not realized in the particular structure andcircuitry disclosed. Under certain circumstances of quite infrequentoccurrence, but nonetheless undesirable, objects might be permitted todischarge from the track at improper times. Also in the track wheel andmotor assembly a gyroscopic effect involved in tilting the entireassembly has been found undesirable as overloading the motor bearings;and further the repeated starting and stopping of a relatively highspeed electrically braked motor is preferably to be avoided.

One object of the present invention is the provision of a drive systemfor the track wheel such that no appreciable rotating masses aresubjected to an angular change in the direction of axes of rotation whenthe wheel is shifted relative to the track, and in which further theparts shifted in control operation are of relative small mass. A furtherobject is the provision of a drive systemwherein the motor and reductiongearing is continually driven, so that there is no necessity forstarting and stopping comparatively large rotating masses during eachcycle of control operations. A further object is the provision of awider range of adjustment of the wheel relative to the track achieved ina more convenient and precise manner than with previous analogousmechanisms.

These several objects are attained by the use of a base, whereon boththe drive motor and reduction gearing are secured, which is movable withrespect to the track only for adjustment purposes; and further by theuse of a solenoidally operated axially shiftable cone clutch and brakemechanism coaxial with the track wheel shaft, the driving clutch memberof which carries a gear in constant mesh with the output gear of thereduction unit; and further by pivotally mounting the entiresub-assembly of wheel, clutch and brake unit and solenoid to swing aboutan axis aligned with the reduction gearing output shaft for moving thewheel to and fro relative to the track by solenoidal means adjustablysecured to the base. The structure as subsequently disclosed providesfor a very fast action in the transition from braked wheel to clutchedwheel condition both by reason of the disclosed clutch and brakemechanism and also by reason of the relatively small masses involved.

With respect to circuitry it is a further object to provide, controlmeans adapted to this improved form of track wheel assembly; and also toavoid the above mentioned and certain other diificulties sometimesarising by carelessness of operation or maintenance. These objects arehere attained by the provision of time delay circuit branches ashereinafter more fully set forth.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following descriptionand the drawings wherein:

Fig. his a side elevational view of the track wheel assembly of thisinvention, showing its disposition relative to a discharge track andtrack wheel assembly supporting frame; Fig. 2 is an irregular axialsectional view, taken as indicated by the line 22 in Fig. 1, through thesub-assembly comprising a solenoidally operated brake and clutch unit,and the track wheel operated thereby;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken at 33 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detailed sectional view, taken along the line 4'4 in Fig. 1,to show the adjustable mounting of the wheel withdrawal or tracksolenoid; and

Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of circuitry involved in thisinvention. In Fig. 1 of the drawings there is represented in dashedoutline the lower end or discharge portion of a feed track mechanism Tdown which flow work pieces P in soldiered array for continuoussuccessive discharge from the bottom of the track, the flow howeverbeing subject to the control of a track wheel assembly of thisinvention. As an example of a particular environment of use, thestructure T may be comprised of a pair of spaced parallel inclinedstationary rail elements as the discharge of a bulk loaded hopper feedermachine, which receives say headed pieces such as rivets or screws,orders the same suspended on the track with heads supported on andshanks between the rails, and discharges the work pieces from the end ofthe rails downwardly into a container filling station of a packagingmachine such as that discussed by the introduction of thisspecification.

The principal components or structures in the drawings (designated bygeneral reference characters) are a supporting frame F; an adjustablebase B, supporting a normally continuously running track wheel drivingelectric motor M, and a speed reduction gearing unit G driven thereby; atrack wheel W disposed generally coplanar with the vertical plane of thedischarge track T; a clutch and brake unit C rotatably mounting wheel Win the plane of the tracks, and pivotally supported on base B to swingthe wheel toward and away from the tracks; a clutch and brake unitsolenoid S (see Fig. 2), carried on the unit C; a track solenoid Rmounted on the base as a motor means for pivoting the wheel toward andaway from track T; and an adjustable parallelogram type linkage Lwhereby the base B and therefore the entire assembly may be located atselected adjusted position relative to track T.

The base B, a generally flat plate, has a pair of spaced paralleldependent flanges between which the upper ends of a pair of similar linkplates 11, 12 are pivotally secured respectively on fixed transverseparallel rods 13,

.14. The lower ends of the links are pivotally mounted on a second pairof horizontal rods 15, 16 parallel to and having the same spacing asrods 13, 14, and having ends secured to the frame F. In Fig. 1, thehorizontal bar 18 and the vertical bar 19 supporting the right end of18, represent in fragmentary fashion a rigid frame including a secondset of horizontal and vertical bars spaced behind 18 and 19 in parallelfashion to provide clearance with respect to the linkage L and the otherelements of the assembly as maybe required. The lower pivot rods 15, 16are bolted at respective opposite ends to the horizontal frame bars 18and transversely thereto.

The forward link plate 12, hence the base plate, is maintained inselected position between a pair of collars 21, 22 secured on rod'16 byset screws, as seen in detail Flg. 3. A lever 23, interposed on rod 16between collar 22 andlink plate 12 is constrained to pivot with thelatter on rod 16 by a pin 24 projectingfrom plate 12 into a slot 25milled into the adjacent face of an integrally formed lever lug 23a. Thelower end of lever 23 is bifurcated to accommodate the inner end of anelongated knurled head adjusting screw 26 threaded into a pin 27 4pivoting in the lever 23 with axis parallel to rod 16. The outer headedend of screw 26 has a swivel seat in and reacts against an eye-bolt-likeelement 28 mounted on a horizontal bracket bar 29 extending across thevertical frame elements 19. Thus by rotation of the screw 26 to displacepin 27 the lever 23 is swung to move the base B and hence the wheel Wfor adjustment of the location of the arc of wheel swing relative to thetrack. Suitable stop nuts and lock nuts may be provided on screw 26.

In the clutch and brake unit C, hereinafter described in greater detail,the housing comprises (see Fig. 2) a hollow member 31, in a tubularextension 31a of which is journalled a shaft 32 carrying wheel W with abroad flat rubber tire; a cover plate 33 journalling a hollow tubularshaft portion 34a of a driving clutch member 34 having sleeve bearingsfor journalling the inner end of shaft 32. extending therethrough; and agear shield 35 mounted on cover plate 33. At the extension 31!) ofmember 31, the unit C is pivotally supported by a fixed pivot shaft 38between upright ears of a bracket 37 bolted on the forward end of baseB, to swing about an axis parallel to shaft 32 and the axes of theparallelogram base mounting linkage L. The output shaft 41 of gearingunit G is aligned with the clutch unit pivot shaft 38, so that theclutch input gear 42, keyed to the tubular shaft 34a of the drivingclutch element outboard of cover plate 33,

is in constant mesh with gear 43 on shaft 41, irrespective,

of the pivotal position of the clutch unit C with wheel W.

The solenoid R (Fig. 1) serves when energized toswing the wheel W upaway from track T through a link 45 with opposite ends pivotally pinnedrespectively in aligned vertical slot formations at 46 in the solenoidarmature 48 and at 31c in the clutch housing member 31. The solenoidcoil 49 is mounted on a rearward plate 50, and the link 45 extendsthrough the opening in a forward plate 51, bolted onto opposite endfaces of a slide block 52. The block 52 (see also Fig. 4), held in aslideway formed between parallel guides 54 and respective top plates 55bolted to base B to overlap parallel longitudinal block shoulders 52a,is movable lengthwise of the base by a solenoid adjusting screw 57threaded into the rear end of the slide block and having at the knurledheaded end thereof a part journalled but axially restrained in an anchorblock 58. The forward plate 51 serves as a stop for the armature 48limiting its forward travel out of solenoid coil 49, when the clutchunit C and wheel W drop toward the track by gravity upon solenoiddeenergization. Thus the armature is kept within the influence of thecoil flux to insure pick up of the wheel-clutch unit assemblyirrespective of wheel position adjustment. Also since the armature stopplate limits the drop of the wheel toward the track, the wheel need notride the track at any time while in downward position for trickle orreduced flow rate, and pieces on the track are drawn under the wheelwithout hesitation.

With the structure thus far described it can be seen that a positionadjustment of the swingable wheel-clutch 7 unit sub-assembly relative tothe track may be made by screw 26 to shift the wheel up or down thetrack. This adjustment is utilized primarily to set the wheel positionas required by the head height and shank length of pieces to be handled,so that the piece is just released as it interrupts a light beam (in theregion'ltlla of Fig. l) of a photoelectric counting system laterdescribed; for greater head heights and shank lengths, the wheel beingset the farther up the track; While the closest approach .ofthe wheel tothe track is set by moving the solenoid mounting through screw 57. V

Considering now in greater detail (see Fig. 2) the clutch and brake unitC, it is firstnoted that the aforementioned driving clutch member 34within the housing provided by members 31, 33 has a radial shoulderagainst which abuts a hardened spacer sleeve 34b journalled in a bearinginsert in cover'33; and that the gear 42 is held in axial pos tive a ait sleeve 34;: by a retainin nut 61' 5. threaded'onto the outboard end oftubular shaft portion 34a and there locked by a key washer 62. Thus theinput cone clutch member 34 is also secured in axial position by thecover member 33 sandwiched between the opposed radial faces of themember 34 and gear 42.

The rubber tired track wheel W is rotationally engaged with or keyed toshaft 32, but permitted relative axial shift thereon with a minimum ofrotational blacklash, through a pin 64 tightly fitted in and projectingradially out of the shaft through an axial end slot 65 in the Wheel hubinto engagement with a pin 66 well spaced radially from shaft 32, theend of pin 64 having a close sliding clearance for motion axially of 66.Thrust bearing washers 67, 68 are located respectively between the hubof wheel W and the end of clutch casing extension 31a, and the outboardend of the hub of Wheel W and a preloaded clutch bias compression spring69. The force of spring 69, reacting through the hub of Wheel W upon theclutch housing, is applied through a snap ring 70 engaged in a groove inshaft 32, to bias the shaft outwardly (to the left in Fig. 2) for abrake action to be explained.

For the specific clutch and brake devices 71, 81 within the unit C, themember 34 and the opposed inner end wall of casing member 31 aresimilarly recessed and in the recesses provided with like internalconiform friction surfaces 72, 82, coaxial with shaft 32, each taperinginwardly of the corresponding recess. A collar 80, pinned to the shaft32, serves as an anchor for a pair of opposed like axially shiftablemale cone clutch elements 73, 83 bolted thereto for rotational and axialmovement with shaft 32. The outer circumferences of the elements 73, 83are formed with male coniform surfaces again coaxial with shaft 32tapering in the same direction as the female cone surfaces to terminateat radial circumferential retaining flanges or shoulders for the helicalspring elements 74, 84 actuallyserving to effect the functionalengagement between the cone elements of each device.

The spring elements 74, 84 are helical extension springs each with itsends hooked together, so that the springs are under circumferentialtension about the corresponding male cone surfaces. The female conesurfaces are preferably provided by Micarta inserts 75, 85 which have ahigh coefficient of friction, cemented into corresponding recesses ofthe housing and of the driving clutch member 34. The inserts are hereshown as having a tapered external form, but may be rather exteriorlycylindrical and press fitted into corresponding bores. Moreover it hasbeen found that instead of working against an internal taper of theinserts, each spring effectively engages frictionally with a slightlyrounded corner of an insert shoulder or step.

With the described clutch and brake structures, When shaft 32 is shiftedto the right of Fig. 2 upon energization of solenoid S as a motor meanstherefor, through a connection later described the cone clutch 71engages to couple the continuously rotating driving clutch member 34 toshaft 32 by the wedging action of male cone member 73 carrying thespring 74 into engagement with the narrowing diameter of female conesurface 72, the brake 81 being thereby released. Upon deenergization ofsolenoid S, the bias spring 69 shifts shaft 32 back to the left tonormal position, the tension in spring 74 causing the same to snap outof frictional engagement with surface 72 for instant clutch release. Atthe same time the shift of the shaft, hence of male member 83, carriesspring 84 into engagement with the stationary or fixed friction brakingsurface 82 on the housing to effect instantaneous braking of the shaft32 and wheel W. The use of a friction member which can roll upon itselfin relatively frictionless man ner, such as the helical springs 74, 84,permits the use of relatively low taper angles on the conical membersand attainment of a relatively high mechanical advantage in thecone-coil contacts without danger of sticking; a point of greatadvantage in this clutch-brake structure.

The internal action of the brake and clutch elements upon engagement andrelease is identical. In all instances the rolling engagement of thespring elements 74, 84 ensures instant release in the axial direction.The axial spacing of the female friction surfaces can be readily variedby shims 90 between the rabbeted edge of casing cover 33 and the matingpart of easing member 31 to which the cover is bolted. Likewise theaxial spacing of the male cone elements may be varied by shims betweenthe collar 80 and one of the male cone elements as at 91. Both of theseadjustments, in varying the axial shift required in the shaft 32 betweenbrake and drive positions, vary the space of, or time of transitthrough, neutral position, which can be made quite small for rapidaction of the unit.

The solenoid unit S is supported with its armature plunger 93 inalignment with shaft 32 by the solenoid housing tubular extension 94inserted in a corresponding bore of a clamping structure 35:! of thegear shield member 35. The solenoid coil 95 in unit S serves whenenergized to draw the shaft 32 to the right against bias of spring 69for clutch engagement, through a coupling comprising a ball bearing unit96 with inner race held on the reduced end of shaft 32 by a snap ring,and a coupling sleeve 97 receiving, and by internal snap rings holding,in opposite ends the ball bearing outer race and the sole noid plungerenlargement which are axially spaced by a sleeve 98.

It may be here noted that a work piece directing discharge shield 99 maybe adjustably positioned in the region below the wheel W as a laterallyprojecting element carried on the lower end of an arm 99a in the form ofa plate pivotally mounted and held by a snap ring on a shoulder ofextension 31a, the arm being split and provided with a clamping screw tosecure it in selected position.

The track wheel motor assembly thus far described, with the plane ofrotation of the wheel disposed in the plane of the track T, may beadjusted as previously indicated to bring the Wheel at downmostposition, that is with track solenoid R deenergized, to such positionthat the wheel perimeter is close to touching the top of the track atits bottom-most region, so that with the wheel W rotating slowly theworkpieces P will be discharged under the wheel at a slot rate and withthe wheel stopped the discharge of work pieces will be stopped; whilewith the wheel drawn back by energization of solenoid R, the work piecescan flow at maximum rate.

To carry out the presentation of this invention in relation to aparticular environment of use, the electrical diagram of Fig. 5 shows inschematic form suitable control elements for the track wheel assembly,as used for photoelectric counting of work pieces in a box conveying andfilling apparatus of the character discussed in the introduction of thisspecification. In such apparatus a continuously driven conveying meanscarries boxes to an escapement mechanism adapted to present successivelyindividual containers to and retain them in a filling station beneaththe discharge point of the track F. The escapement mechanism in a singleescapement cycle impels a container into the filling station,simultaneously expelling a previously filled container, and upontermination of the cycle accepts another empty container forpresentation in the following escapement cycle. The escapement driveincludes a continuously rotating driving shaft from which escapementmotion is derived by an electromagnetically or solenoidally actuatedsingle cycle clutch with a microswitch under the influence of an elementon the driven side of the clutch serving to terminate the drivingrelation at the end of a cycle of escapement operation. At the fillingstation another switch is located to be actuated by a container as itreaches proper position therein, for triggering a Work piece countingand release mechanism.

In the diagram, a main switch is provided for connecting of theseparately fused main lines 111, 112 to the power source; and drivemotor 113, 114, respectively for a hopper feeder supplying track F andfor container conveying and positioning escapement mechanisms, areindividually connected across line 112 and a branch 111a taken ofli 111before the fuse therein, which then serves to fuse only certainimportant control circuit branches Other conventionally used and locatedfuses and overload protective devices are omitted for clarity. Howeverto assure that, in putting the controlled apparatus into operation, theseveral control circuits-particularly theelectronc counter laterdescribed-are in readiness, before the clutch escapement is initiallyactuated, a time delay relay coil R7 in series with its normally openselfholding contacts R7b across lines 111, 112, is subject to control ofthe normally open time delay contacts TDC in parallel with the contactsR7b. The time delay heater TDH in series with normally closed contactsR7a across lines 111, 112, requires a certain delay period to heat upand closethe thermally responsive contacts TDC, thereupon energizingrelay coil R7 to close its normally open contacts R7b, R70! and open thenormally closed contacts R7a to cut olf the heater.

A relay coil R3, its normally open self-holding contacts R301, and thenormally open microswitch MS serving as the aforementioned switchassociated with the single cycle clutch, are connected in series acrosslines 111a, 112; and the manual push-button starting switch 116 and inseries therewith normally open relay contacts R7d, are a control branch(for relay R3) in parallel with the branch RIM and M8 The normally openrelay contacts Rlla and Rla are in series between relay coil R3 and line111, and therefore also effectively are a branch in parallel with thebranch'of R311 and M5 though separately fused. The escapement clutchsolenoid 118 and the normally open contacts R3b of relay R3, connectedacross 111, 112, complete the primary control circuitry of theescapement clutch.

From the above it may be seen that the starting push button 116 isinoperative until the time delay heater'has served its function indelaying closing of'R7d. Thereafter momentary closure of 116 willenergize R3, simultaneously closing its self-holding contacts R3a andalso contacts R3b to energize the clutch solenoid 118, so that theescapement clutch gets under way closing normally open clutchmicroswitch MS to permit the self-holding contacts R3a to be effective.The escapement clutch mechanism is thus maintained engaged upon releaseof the push button until M8 is permitted to open near the very end ofthe escapement cycle (which may be completed by inertia), therebydeenergizing R3 and releasing R3a, R3b to deenergize the clutchsolenoid. Thereafter in continued automatic operation, with Rlla beingclosed continually, upon each momentary closure of Rla in response to asignal impulse R3 is energized and the cycle is carried out in the samemanner as explained for use of 116.

With an electric lamp 101 and a photoelectric cell 102 disposed onopposite sides of and below track F so that each piece P dischargingfrom the track interrupts the light beam focused on the cell, acorresponding impulse or signal is produced by the cell fed to anelectric or electronic counting apparatus 120, the power input leads ofwhich are connected across 111, 112. The counter is adapted to be presetto give a final signal output or impulse at a selected final count ofpieces discharged from the track, and also to produce a warning impulseor signal at a preselected number before the final count. The countercould be self-clearing, but preferably is reset by closure of a switchmeans, such as the normally open contacts R6c of relay R6.

Various such counting apparatus are known and commercially available insuitable form, and since the design of the same is not per se a part ofthis invention it is no further detailed except to note that theaforementioned normally open contacts Rla and the later describednormally closed contacts Rlb are part of a relay of the counterenergized by the final count'impulse to close and open the samerespectively; and the later-described normally closed contacts R2a arepart of a second relay of the counter energized by the warning impulseto open the same.

The track wheel driving motor M has its leads connected to the variabletap or contact and one end of a variable potential device such as aVariac transformer 121 powered from lines 111, 112, and the motor is ofsuch character, such as a series motor, that its speed may be adjustedunder operating conditions by setting 121.

The contemplated mode of operation, in the described environment of thepresent invention by way of example, is that the rubber-tired trackwheel W be stationary and in contact with the work pieces on track Fduring the escapement cycle; and that after a container arrives in thefilling station, actuating a suitable device suchas the double throwmicroswitch MS (to be described), the solenoid R be energized to drawthe wheel away from the track to allow free counted flow of the pieces,until a warning impulse is generated by the counter. Thereupon, thewheel, already slowly rotating due to preceding maintained energizationof solenoid S, is allowed to drop back toward the track in consequenceof deenergization of solenoid R, engaging pieces P which then dischargeonly at the low rate or trickle flow permitted as they pass under thewheel. With slow wheel rotation and with the photocell and lamp close tothe end of the track, when the final count impulse is attained, solenoidS is deenergized and the wheel instantly braked before another screw canpass under the wheel.

Relay coil R11 and its self-holding normally open contacts R1117 are inseries across 111, 112 and the contacts R1011 of relay R10 are inparallel with contacts Rllb. Track motor relay coil R4, its normallyopen self-holding contacts R4b, and normally closed contacts Rlb of thecounter final count relay; and the similarly disposed track solenoidrelay coil R5, its normally open contacts R5b, and the normally closedcontacts R2a of the counter warning count relay, constitute similarbranches across lines 111, 112, which branches are joined at the innerends of relay coils R4 and R5, by the two sets of series connectedcontacts R6a and R6b (of relay R6) respectively..

The box tripped double throw microswitch M8 (at the box escapement) hasone point, with which its arm is normally in contact, connected to thecommon point of slow release contacts R6a and R6b and its other pointconnected to one end of the coil in the slow release D.C. relay R6. Acharging circuit branch comprised of resistor 124, selenium rectifier125 and capacitor 126 is in series across lines 111 and 112, with aresistor 127 in parallel with capacitor 126. The arm of M8 is connectedto the line 111 commonly with one side of the capacitor 126; and theother end of slow release relay coil R6 to the opposite side of thecapacitor.

Thus with M8 in its normal position and R6a and R6b open as shown,capacitor 126 is being charged. Instantaneous contact with the otherpoint (upon transit of a box into the filling position) energizes relaycoil R6 by shunting it across capacitor 126 and resistor 127, andputting it in series with rectifier 125 as a DC. source, closingcontacts R6c to reset the counter and also closing R6a, R6b. As R6 is aslow release device, these contacts of R6 remain closed for a time afterM8 returns to normal position so that relays R4 and R5 are energized,thereby closing respective contacts R41) and R5b for self-holding, sinceboth Rlb and R21: are normally closed.

As the track solenoid R is in a series branch across R5, and normallyopen relay contacts R811, were the lat-' 7 ter shorted out (and switch130 of course closed), the

energization of relay R in closing contacts R5a would cause an immediatelifting of the track wheel to permit instantaneous work piece flow upontripping of M8,, by a box.

In similar manner, since the normally open contacts R4a are in a seriesbranch across 111, 112 comprised of the brake releasing andclutch-engaging solenoid S (of track motor clutch-brake unit C) andnormally open contacts R9a of the track timer relay R9, were R9a shortedout, energization of relay R4 in closing contacts R411 would causeimmediate brake release and clutch engagement and therefore wheelrotation; which, even if the track wheel were not lifted would causesome pieces to be discharged under the wheel.

Hence to ensure sufiicient time for complete resetting and readiness ofthe counter, not only is the counter reset positively by contacts R6cupon actuation of M8 but further a track motor delay timer circuit and atrack solenoid delay timer circuit are used involving the aforementionedrelay contacts R9a and R811 withholding direct control of the solenoidsfor a time from R4a and R511 respectively.

These delay timer circuits are essentially identical, each including afull wave selenium rectifier 132 formrng across one diagonal a directseries connection with the respective contacts R4a or RSa between lines111, 112 so that these contacts control directly only the power into therectifiers. Three successive resistors 133, 134, 135 in series with therelay coil R9 or R8 are connected In series across the other diagonal ofthe respective rectrfiers. A capacitor 138 and normally closed contactsR9b are series connected as a branch parallel to relay coil R9 andresistor 135, with the normally open contacts R9a and resistor 139 asanother branch in parallel with capacitor 138. Capacitor 138, normallyclosed contacts R8b, relay coil R8, resistor 135, normally open relaycontacts R80 and resistor 139 are similarly connected in the other delaycircuit.

The relay coil R10 for the previously mentioned contacts RlOa islikewise connected in series with R4a directly across lines 111, 112 andupon an initial closure of R441, closes its contacts R10a to energizeholding relay coil Rll, which in turn closes its contacts R11b (forself-holding thereafter until the power switch 110 is opened) and alsoto close Rlla, permitting control of R3 and escapement initiation toRla.

By the inclusion of such delay timer circuits with appropriate circuitconstants, the charging rate of the capacitors 138 is determinative ofthe delay time, for the pulsating D.C. derived from a 60 cycle A.C.source is effectively by-passed about the relay coils, for a time untila certain charge and counter-potential is built up on 138; at whichinstant the current increasing in the relay coils reaches such value asto actuate the same, closing the contacts R9a and R8a to energize S andR to start the track Wheel revolving (by clutch engagement) and to liftthe wheel, to permit full work piece flow from the tracks.

When the warning count is reached causing relay conrtacts R21; to openfor an instant, R5 is deenergized, opening R5b and RSa, to deenergize Rand permit the slowly rotating wheel to drop to the track to initiatetrickle flow. At the same time the track solenoid delay circuit isswitched off, R8 is deenergized, releasing its contacts to normalposition and discharging the capacitor.

In like manner, when the final count signal is reached, opening Rlb foran instant, relay R4 is deenergized opening R4a (and also R412) todeenergize solenoid S releasing the clutch in unit C and causing instantbraking of Wheel, thereby stopping work piece flow. Opening of R4a incutting off power to the track wheel delay timer circuit causes asimilar restoration of normal contact positions and discharge of thecapacitor therein.

Also the final count impulse closes the normally open contacts Rla, andwith Rlla being maintained now closed, the cycle of the escapementmechanism is again initiated.

Since the reset signal or impulse is derived from operation of themicroswitch M8 rather than from the final count signal, any excesspieces fed to one box will not be recorded or held in a total carriedover to a succeeding box. A succeeding box is under the trackdischargepoint at the time the reset is made. Therefore all screws appearing inany count must necessarily go into the corresponding box.

By the use of the time delay heater unit the push-button 116 isineifective to displace a box past MS-2 and thereby initiate flow, untilthe counter and control units are warmed up and operative. Further theinclusion of relays R10, and R11 ultimately controlling contacts R11a inseries with Rla ensure that contacts Rla will not be operative, untilRlla is closed in consequence of energization of R10 in the firstcomplete operational cycle after starting the apparatus, the first cyclebeing initiated by pressing start switch 116 as previously described.

The switch 130, normally closed for counting operations involving aconsiderable number of pieces per lot, may be opened when smaller lotsare to be counted, even for counts as low as one piece per lot or box.With toggle switch open, the track solenoid R is rendered inoperative,so that when microswitch M8 is triggered by a box a trickle flowimmediately ensues which is affected and terminated only by the finalcount impulse as above described.

I claim:

1. A device for controlling the movement of objects past a control pointincluding a wheel adapted to be held stationary while in a firstposition in contact with an object at the control point, to be withdrawnfrom the control point to a second position to permit movement of theobject independently of the wheel, to be returned to said first positionand rotated at a selected rate to contact with an object passedthereunder at a rate determined by said selected rate, and again heldstationary while in said first position, comprising: a supporting base,a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the base, a track wheel, a wheelshaft supporting said wheel, means journalling said wheel shaft andpivotally mounted to said base with the pivot axis parallel to the wheelshaft and aligned with the drive shaft whereby said wheel may be shiftedfrom one to the other of said positions, means for drivingly connectingsaid drive shaft with said Wheel shaft, and means mounted on the baseand connected with the first said means for shifting the wheel.

2. A device for controlling the flow of objects serially ordered on atrack, including a wheel adapted to be held stationary while in a firstposition in contact with an object on the track to prevent flow, to bewithdrawn from the track to a second position to permit free flow of theobjects independently of the wheel, to be returned to said firstposition and rotated at a selected rate to contact objects passedthereunder at a flow rate determined by the rotation rate, and againheld stationary while in said first position to stop the fiow,comprising: a supporting base, a drive shaft rotatably secured on thebase, a wheel shaft supporting said Wheel, means journalling said wheelshaft and pivotally mounted to said base with the pivot axis parallel toboth said shafts 'Whereby said wheel may be shifted from one to theother of said positions relative to said track, means for drivinglyconnecting said drive shaft with said wheel shaft, solenoid meansmounted on the base for adjustment toward and away from said pivot axisand having an armature connected with the wheel journaling means forshifting the wheel and stop means for said armature movable with thesolenoid means upon adjustment of the solenoid means.

11 3. A device as described in claim 2 wherein the means for drivinglyconnecting the drive and wheel shafts includes a pinion on the driveshaft and a gear meshed therewith coaxially carried on the wheel shaft;and said pivot axis is aligned with the drive shaft axis.

4. A device for controlling the flow of objects serially ordered on atrack, including a wheel adapted to be held stationary while in a firstposition in contact with an object on the track to prevent flow, to bewithdrawn from the track to a second position to permit free flow of theobjects independently of the Wheel, to be returned to said firstposition and rotated at a selected rate to contact objects passedthereunder at a flow rate determined by the rotation rate, and againheld stationary while in said first position to stop the flow, compris:ing: a supporting base, a drive shaft rotatably secured on the base andcarrying a drive pinion; a wheel shaft supporting said wheel forrotation therewith; a casing journalling said wheel shaft and pivotallymounted to said base with the pivot axis parallel to both said shaftsand aligned with the drive shaft, whereby said wheel may be shifted fromone to the other of said positions relative to said track; means fordrivingly connecting said drive shaft with said wheel shaft including adriving clutch member journalled in said casing coaxially with 7 saidwheel shaft, a gear coaxially secured to said clutch member for rotationtherewith and meshing with said pinion, means for shifting said wheelshaft axially relative to said wheel, clutch member, gear and casing,and

driven clutch means secured to the wheel shaftfor axial shift therewith;and means mounted on the base and connected with the said casing forshifting the wheel.

5. A device as described in claim 4, including wheel brake meansincluding a fixed braking surface .on said casing and, a brake elementsupported by said wheel shaft axially shiftable therewith into brakingengagement with said surface.

- 6. A device for controlling the flow of objects serially ordered on atrack, including a wheel adapted to be held stationary while in a firstposition in contact with an object on the track to prevent flow, to bewithdrawn from the track to a second position to permit free flow of theobjects independently of the wheel, to be returned to said firstposition androtated at a selected rate to contact objects passedthereunder at a flow rate determined by the rotation rate, and againheld stationary while in said first position to stop the flow,comprising: a supporting base; a continuallyoperating electric motorfixed thereon; a speed reduction unit secured on the base, continuallydriven by the motor and having an output shaft; a wheel shaft and arubber-tired wheel keyed thereon for relative axial shift, said wheelshaft being parallel to said output shaft; a casing rotatably axiallyshiftably supporting said wheel shaft and pivotally mounted to said basewith pivot axis aligned with said output shaft whereby said wheel may beshifted from one to the other of said positions relative to said track;a driving clutch member and connected gear rotatably mounted in saidcasing coaxially on the wheel shaft; a pinion on said output shaftmeshed with said gear; a fixed braking member in said casing axiallyspaced from said clutch member; a driven clutch and brake elementsecured on said wheel shaft for rotation and axial shift therewith;preloaded compression spring means normally biasing the wheel shaft forwheel braking'engagement of said element with said brake member; motormeans for shifting said element into driven engagement with said clutchmember against the bias of said spring; and motor means mounted on thebase having an armature connected with the said casing for shifting thewheel.

7. A device as described in claim 6 wherein said base is supported by aparallelogram linkage on a fixed frame for adjusting movement of thewheel lengthwise of the said track along an inclined discharge endthereof; and

an adjusting screw reacting on said frame is threadably engaged with apart of said linkage.

8. A device as described in claim 6, wherein said casing is comprised ofa part mounting said brake member and a second part mounting said clutchmember, said parts of the casing being bolted together in axiallyabutting, relation, with spacing shims therebetween whereby the neutralperiod between wheel driving and braking may be varied.

9. A device as described in claim 6 wherein said element is comprised oftwo adjacent members providing axially spaced parts engageablerespectively with said clutch and brake members, and spacing shims areinterposed between said adjacent members to adjust the neutral periodbetween driving and braking of the wheel.

10. A device for controlling the flow of objects serially ordered on atrack, including a wheel adapted to be held stationary while in a firstposition in contact with an object on the track to prevent flow, to bewithdrawn from the track to a second position to permit free flow of theobjects independently of the wheel, to be returned to said firstposition and rotated at a selected rate to contact objects passedthereunder at a flow rate determined by the rotation rate, and againheld stationary while in said first position to stop the flow,comprising: a supporting base; a drive shaft rotatably secured on thebase; a rubber-tired wheel; a wheel shaft disposed parallel to the driveshaft and axially shiftably supporting the wheel for rotation therewith;a hollow casing journalling said wheel shaft extending therethrough,said casing being pivotally mounted to said base with the pivot axisclosely aligned with said drive shaft whereby said wheel may be shiftedfrom one to the other of said positions relative to said track; saidwheel being carried on the wheel shaft projecting at one end of thecasing; clutch and brake means in said casing including a driving clutchmember with a gear secured thereto coaxially journalled on said wheelshaft and in the other end of said casing, axially spaced annularfriction elements coaxial to the wheel shaft secured in said one end ofthe casing and in the face of the driving clutch member as a fixedbraking and a clutch surface, means disposed between said annularmembers fixed on the wheel shaft for rotation and axial shift therewithproviding on opposite sides thereof surfaces tapering slightly towardthe annular members and terminating in respective end flanges, helicaltension springs each with ends joined to form a spring annulus on arespective tapering surface, said springs being under circumferentialtension urging the same toward the respective flanges, said annularmembers being formed of material having a high coefiicient of frictionrelative to said springs, helical compression spring means operativelydisposed between the wheel shaft and wheel to bias the shaft in adirection effecting wheel braking engagement of said braking surfacewith the adjacent helical means to effect driving clutch surfaceengagement with the other helical spring; a pinion on said output shaftin constant mesh with said gear; and means mounted on the base andconnected with the said casing for shifting the wheel.

7 11. A device as described in claim 10 wherein said means for shiftingthe wheel shaft includes a solenoid secured on one end of the casing andhaving therein an axial armature or plunger in axial alignment with saidshaft, and means for axially securing the plunger to said wheel shaftbut permitting relative rotation therebetween, said means including ananti-friction bearing.

12. A device as described in claim 10, wherein said tapering surfacesare provided on separate collar-like elements secured in axial androtational sense to said wheel shaft, and removable spacing means areprovided between said elements for varying the neutral period betweenbraking and clutching engagement.

13. A clutch and brake unit for driving or breaking a shaft comprising:a hollow casing journalling said shaft extending therethrough, clutchand brake means in said casing including a driving clutch membercoaxially journalled on said shaft and in one end of said casing,axially spaced annular friction elements coaxial to the wheel shaftsecured in the other end of the casing and in the face of the drivingclutch member respectively a fixed braking and a clutch surface, meansdisposed between said annular members fixed on the shaft for rotationand axial shift therewith providing on opposite sides thereof surfacestapering slightly toward respective annular members and terminating inrespective end flanges, helical tension springs each with ends joined toform a spring annulus on a respective tapering surface, said springsbeing under circumferential tension urging the same toward therespective flanges, said annular members being formed of material havinga high coefficient of friction relative to said springs and eachpresenting on its internal circumference a circumferentially extendedsurface adapted for cooperation with a respective said tapering surfaceto effect a wedging engagement of a helical tension spring therebetween,helical compression spring means operatively disposed between the shaftand an axially fixed element to bias the shaft in a direction effectingwheel braking engagement of said braking surface with the adjacenthelical spring and release of clutching engagement, and means forshifting the shaft against the compression spring means to effectdriving clutch surface engagement with the other helical spring.

14. A device as described in claim 13 wherein said means for shiftingthe shaft includes a solenoid secured on one end of the casing andhaving therein an axial armature or plunger in axial alignment with saidshaft, and means for axially securing the plunger to said shaft butpermitting relative rotation therebetween, said means including ananti-friction bearing.

15. A device as described in claim 13 wherein said flanges are sodisposed relative to each other and to said annular members that eachtension spring when in nonengaged relation with the correspondingannular member is in non-driving contact therewith.

16. In combination with a device as set forth in claim 11, counting andcontrol circuitry adapting the same for automatic cyclic operation withan apparatus including track means feeding objects to a box fillingstation, escapement means presenting boxes successively to the station,and electrically energized means for carrying out an escapement cycle,said circuitry including: a photoelectric counting head viewing thedischarge region of said track and an electric counter receiving signalsfrom the head and having a final count relay with normally closed andnormally open contacts adapted to open and close respectively onreaching a preselected final count, and a warning count relay withnormally closed contacts adapted to open when a count of preselectednumber before final count is reached; a circuit branch including saidnormally open final count contacts adapted to initiate an escapementcycle; a starting push button in series with normally open relay switchmeans as a second branch in parallel with the first, to initiate a firstescapement cycle, and a time delay circuit closing said switch means apreselected time after beginning operations; a single pole double throwswitch momentarily actuated to open normally closed contacts therein andclose normally open contacts upon being tripped by a box entering saidfilling station; slow release direct current relay means energized bytripping of the double throw switch to close three sets of normally opencontacts, a first set resetting said counter and the other setsinitiating operation respectively of a wheel control solenoid, and wheelshift solenoid, through respective self-holding relay circuitsmaintaining said operation; time delay circuits to delay energization ofsaid solenoids a selected period of time to permit resetting thecounter, said normally closed final and Warn- 14 ing count relaycontacts being included in said self-holding relay circuits to termniatethe respective solenoid energization at warning and final count to shiftthe wheel to the track and to brake the wheel.

17. The combination as set forth in claim 16 wherein said normally openfinal count contacts are in series with relay switch contactswithholding control therefrom and a circuit energized by initial closureof one of said sets of direct current relay contacts to effect closureof the control withholding contacts, the last said circuit being adaptedto keep the control withholding contacts closed after initialenergization.

18. In combination with a device as set forth in claim 11, counting andcontrol circuitry adapting the same for automatic cyclic operation withan apparatus including track means feeding objects to a box fillingstation, escapement means presenting boxes successively to the station,and electrically energized means for carrying out an escapement cycle,said circuitry including: a photoelectric counting head viewing thedischarge region of said track and an electric counter receiving signalsfrom the head and having a final count relay with normally closed andnormally open contacts adapted to open and close respectively onreaching a preselected final count, and a warning count relay withnormally closed contacts adapted to open when a count of preselectednumber before final count is reached; a pair of main lines connecting toan external electrical power source; a normally open microswitch closedby said escapement means on beginning a cycle and opened thereby to terminate the cycle; a first relay with normally open contacts controllingsaid electrically energized means, said relay having its coil andnormally open holding contacts in series with said microswitch acrosssaid lines; a starting push button and start time delay controlledcontacts connected in series with each other and as a control branch inparallel with said holding contacts and microswitch; said normally openfinal count contacts being in parallel with said parallel control branchduring automatically continued cycling of the apparatus; a track wheelsolenoid control relay having a coil and normally open contacts inseries with said normally closed final count contacts across said lines;a wheel shift solenoid control relay having a coil and normally openholding contacts and the normally closed warning count contacts inseries across said lines; a direct current slow release relay with apaired set of normally open contacts connected in series and across thetrack wheel and wheel shift control branches at corresponding pointsbetween the relay coils and contacts therein, and also having firstnormally open contacts connected to said counter as a switch to resetthe same to zero count; a first time delay circuit controlled by othernormally-open contacts of said wheel solenoid control relay and havingdelay switch means in series with said other contacts and the wheelcontrol solenoid across said lines; a second time delay circuitcontrolled by other normally open contacts of said wheel shift solenoidcontrol relay having delay switch means in series with said othernormally open contacts and the clutch solenoid across said lines; asingle pole double throw switch means adapted to be tripped fromnormally closed setting to close momentarily upon a normally opencontact by a box entering said filling station, the normally closedcontact of the last said switch means being connected to a common pointof the paired contacts of the direct current relay, and the movablecontact arm to one of said lines, and the normally open contact to oneend of the coil of said direct current relay, the other end of the lastsaid coil being connected to the other said line.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

